Multicolor-printing machine.



PATBNTED APP.. V23,` 19m.

L. W. SOUTHGATE. 'MULTICOLQR .PRINTING MACHINE.

A nPLIoATIoN FILED 52.11.19', 1900. RBNEWED JULY 2s, 190e.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

THE Nantais PETERS co., WASHINGTON, D. c.

ssHEnI'ssHEBT l2.

PATENTE APR# 23.1907.

L. W. SOUTHGATE. MULTIGOLOR PRINTING MACHINE. AIPLIOATION FILED JNJQ, 1900. RENEWED JULY 28. 1906.

1HE Nonms PETERS co. wAsHmraN, D. c4

-PATENTED APR. 23, 1907. L.` W.. SOUTHGATE. MULTICOLON PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED JAN. 19, 1900. RBNEWBD JULY 28. 1906'.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

nurrn sii-Arne erreur onine.

LOUIS W. SOUTHGATE, yOF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGN OR TO TPIE- CAMPBELL PRINTING PRESS 9a-MANUFACTURING CO., OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

VIULTICOLOR-PFHNTING MACHINE.

Specification of \etters Patent.

Patented April 23, 1907.

Application filed January 19, 1900. Renewed luly 28, 1906. Serial No. 328,246.

To all, whom 'llt may concern.-

Be it known that I, Louis W. SOUTHGATE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful ItIulticolor-Printing Machine, of which the following is a specification.

It has been proposed in the art to make reciprocating-bed multicolor-printing machines. The devices that have been previously proposed have been open to one or both of two objections. The Iirst objection to the prior devices is that an extremely long length of stroke is necessarily given to the reciprocating bed. This makes an awkward mechanism and necessarily lim-its the speed of the machine. The second objection found in the prior devices is that the color-design plates which are to control the supply oi"w the various colored inks have been mounted on separate carriers. This in some instances gives the plates too much curvature and in every case that I know of tends to complication and affects the register.

The aim of this invention is to provide a reciprocating -bed multicolor printing machine which shall overcome these objections by having a short or usual stroke oi bed and by having a construction in which the colordesign plates are necessarily set to register with each other.

vTo this end the invention consists in providing any oi' the ordinary forms of reciproeating-bed presses with a color-design-plate cyiinder capacitated to receive a plurality of color-design plates circumferentially, separate inking apparatuses coperating with sai d color-design-plate cylinder for each colorplate, and witha transfer-cylinder on which the colors are registered together circumferentially and axially to make up a positive of the multicolor'imprint and which applies the positive to the printing-forni carried by the bed.

The parts are preferably so arranged that the color-design-plate cylinder will be continuously driven in one direction, the transfer-cylinder geared thereto and moved up and down so as to contact with the form on the bed as the latter moves in one direction and to clear the form as the bed moves in the opposite direction.

I may either arrange the color-design-plate cylinder to carry another plate to supply the black ink, or I may use a separate device for this purpose. v

In the preferred form of my apparatus I use the ordinary two-revolution cylinder reciprocating-bed press with a back delivery, arrange the color-design-plate cylinder and its appurtenances iront of the impressioncylinder, and provide camV mechanism for controlling the transfer-cylinder-- By this arrangement I can make a rapid machine and one in which the color-design plates will register with each other, as they are all carried by the same part.

In the accompanying three sheets of drawings I have shown enough of a pr1nting-1na-' chine constructed according to this invention to enable a skilled mechanic to practice the same. y

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of an ordinary two-revoluti on printing-press having my improvement appliedthereto. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, the impression-cylinder having made one turn from the position shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2, illustrating amodiied form of the device'. Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan, and Fig. 6 is an enlarged end elevation, of the color-design-plate cylinder, showing how the color-d esi gn-plateinking rolls are arranged and controlled. Fig. 7 and Fig. S are an enlarged partial sectional and end view, respectively, illustrating the mounting of the transfer-cylinder.

Referring to the drawings and in detail, A designates an impression-cylinder, and B a bed of anv ordinary two-revolution printingpress. The impression-cylinder A has the usual grippers a. The form to make the impression on the sheet is placed on the bed in the usual way. i

C designates the feed-board.

The device has any of the usual back deliveries-as, for example, delivery-cylinder D, strippers E, and tapes F. By this mechanism'sheets can be presented by the impressioncylinder in the ordinary manner and printed. from the form l). In front of the impression-cylinder I arrange a color-designplate cylinder G. This color-design-plate cylinder is preferably made of the same size as the impression cylinder and is reierably geared to make turn for turn with t ie impres- IOO ' the color-design-plate cylinder.

sioncylinder, but in the opposite direction thereto, as indicated by the arrows. As shown in the first sheet of the drawings, the color-design-plate cylinder is arranged to carry circumferentially three color-design plates g, g2, and g3. Three ink-fountains Hf, H2, and H3 are arranged in position around the platecylinder. Tnk is taken from these fountains by transfer-rollers 7L', h2, and h3 to distributerrollers j, jz, and j and from the latter to color-design-plate-inking rollers 7/ c, k2 k2, and k3 k3. The plate-inking rollers are mounted in suitable arms 10 10, pivoted or journalcd on the shafts of the distributers. Hooks l1 engage these arms and connect by springs 12 to studs 13, so that the plate-inking rollers are pulled toward the center of Each platei inking roller is provided with a wheel or isk will only coact with one plate.

130. The ends of the plate-cylinder are provided with cams or controlling-grooves 14, 15, and 16 for these wheels. By this arrangement each set of plate-inking rollers By this construction if a different-colored ink is put in each fountain each late will receive a separate colored ink. L) designates a transfercylinder which has a circumference of onethird the circumference of the color-designplate cylinder or a circumference substantially equal to the circumferential length of each color-design plate, so that the colors are registered together circumferentially and axially thereon to make up a positive of the multicolor imprint, which positive is applied to the printing-plate. The colors may be blended also, if desired, by overlappingthe designs or relief-surfaces of the color-design plates. This transfer-cylinder is provided with a soft or receptive surface adapted to take the ink from the color-plates. This transfer-cylinder is mounted in arms 17, which are pivoted on the stationary quills 1S. A shaft 19 is j ournaled in each of said quills and is driven by a gear 20, which meshes with the large driving-gears of thc plate-cylinder. On the inner end of the shafts 19 are arranged gears 21, which by means of intermediates 22, mounted on studs projecting in from said arm 17, turn the gears 23 on the shaft of the transfer-cylinder. By this gearing the transfer-cylinder will be turned so as to have the same peripheral speed as the color-designplate cylinder. The same is also capable of a rising-and-falling motion about the quills L8 as pivots.

The transfer-cylinder is raised and lowered by means of suitable cams, which connect by yokes 26 to said arms 17. These yokes carry rolls which bear on the cams, and theI rolls are normally kept in contact therewith by springs 27. The cams are geared to make one turn for each cycle or each two revolutions of the impression-cylinder. lf the color-design-plate cylinder is capacitated to receive three color-design plates circumferentially, I preferably provide a mechanism back of the impression-cylinder to supply black ink to the form. This mechanism consists of a fountain H4 and a ductor h4, which carries ink to a distributer jt, which supplies ink to the plate-rollers 764 kt. A plate-carrying cylinder M is arranged as shown, and the same is provided with a plate g4, having a circumferential length equal to the form. transfer-cylinder L is mounted in suitable arms 28, hung on the shaft of the cylinder M.l These arms are controlled by cams 29, which connect by yokes thereto, and the rollers on the yokes are held against the cams by suitable springs 31. The cams 29 are geared to make turn for turn with the cams 34.

Vith this arrangement the operation is substantially as follows: As the color-designplate cylinder G turns each color design plate carried thereby will receive a supply of ink of the color the plate is designed for. The plates are prepared so that when the designs of the same are superimposed the desired multicolor impression will be obtained. The transfer-cylinder L is held up in contact with the color-design-plate cylinder Gfor at least'a full revolution thereof, so that said transfer-cylinder will receive the design of each color-design plate in the appropriate ink and so that the colors will be registered thereon circumferentially and axially to make up a positive of the multicolor imprint. Then the transfer-cylinder is lowered to contact with the printing-form on the bed, and by this arrangement the design of all the color-design plates will be transferred, properly registered, and blended, if desired, to the printing-form. The transfer-cylinder is arranged to contact with the form only as the bed moves in one direction, preferably on the forward stroke. Then as the bed moves forward under the impression-cylinder the sheet will receive the multicolor design.' When the bed passes back of the impressioncylinder, the transfer-cylinder L will apply in black ink the design of plate g4, which is properly prepared for this purpose. In this way a multicolor impression having such parts thereof in black as desired can be made upon the sheet.

Tn the second sheet of drawings the colordesign-plate cylinder G is made large enough to carry in addition the plate g4, which controls the supply of black ink, and the four ink-fountains are arranged in cooperative relation with this cylinder. This is the preferred form of construction. This device works the same as before described, except that the transfer-cylinder L applies the black ink as well as the colored inks to the printing-form. Tf desired, this form of machine may be arranged to receive any of the ordinary inking apparatuses at the back of the impression-cylinder, as indicated in the dot- IOO IIO

. sion.

ted lines, so that, if desired, the mechanism for supplying the colored inks can be disconnected and the machine run simply to make an ordinary black impression.

I have thus provided a mechanism in which the bed has the ordinary stroke and a mechanism in which the color-plates will register veryaccurately with each other, as they are all carried by a single integral carrier` It is an advantageous construction to have the transfer-cylinder L out of contact with the color-design-plate cylinder when inking the form and so controlled as to only contact with the color-design-plate cylinder for one revolution of the latter. As the color-designplate cylinder makes two revolutions for each cycle, each plate will be twice inked 5 but by said construction the plates will only contact once with the transfer-cylinder in each cycle. This gives a very even and perfect registering and blending, if desired, of the inks. By having the transfer-cylinder only contact with one part ata time distortion of and strain on the transfer cylinder is avoided.

Although the invention is shown and described in connection with a two-revolution impression-cylinder, it is obvious, of course, that the same is equally applicable to a machine employing what is known as the stopcylinder.

As many color-plates as desired can be arranged on the color-design-plate cylinder. These plates may occupy the whole or any part of the surface ci' the color-design-plate cylinder circumiierentially or axially, so that the entire printing-form or any part thereof may be inked to give a multicolor-impres- Thus, for example, if the form is made up to print a number of pages one or more or all of the pages can be inked to print in colors, or if the printing-form is made up of large size a plate or a cut therein may be inked to make a multicolor impression therefrom. The arrangement oi' the plates is controlled by the design it is desired to print.

The details herein shown and described may be greatly varied by a skilled mechanic without departing from the scope of my invention as expressed in the claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination in a multicolor-printing machine, of an impression-cylinder, a reciprocating bed cooperating therewith and carrying a printing plate or form, a color-design cylinder capacitated to receive a plurality of color-design plates circumferentiall y. a separate inking apparatus for each colordesign plate, means for taking the ink from each inking apparatus to the color-designplate cylinder so that the ink from each apparatus will be applied to one color-design plate only, and a rotary transfer-cylinder on which the colors are registered circumferentially and axially to make a positive of the multicolor imprint and Jfrom which thepositive is applied to the`printing plate or form.

2. Thecombination in a multicolor-printing machine, of an impression-cylinder, a reciprocating bed cooperating-therewith and `carrying a printing plate or form, a color-design cylinder capacitated to receive a plurality of color-design plates circumferentially, an inking apparatus for each color-design plate .cooperating with `said color-designplate cylinder, a transfer-cylinder on which the colors are registered circumierentially and axially to make up a positive of the multicolor imprint, and means for moving the transfer-cylinder to contact with the form on the bed as the bed moves in one direction, and to clear the form as the bed moves in the opposite direction to apply the positive to ciprocating bed cooperating therewith and carrying a printing plate or form, a color-design cylinder continuously revolving in one direction and capacitated to receive a plurality of color-design plates circumferentially, an inking apparatus for each color-design plate, a transfer-cylinder on which the colors are registered circumferentially and axially geared to the color-design-plate cylinder, arranged to take the ink from all the color-design plates to make a positive of the multicolor imprint, and means for moving the transfer-cylinder to contact with the form on the bed as the bed moves in one direction, and to clear the form as the bed moves in the opposite direction to apply the positive to the printing plate or form.

4. The combination in a multicolor-printing machine, of an impression-cylinder, a reciprocating bed cooperating therewith, a color-design-plate cylinder capacitated to receive three color-design plates and a plate for black ink circumferentially, four inking apparatuses cooperating with said color-design-plate cylinder, and a transfer-cylinder on which the colors are registered circumferentially and axially arranged to take ink from the plates, and apply the same to the printing-form carried by the bed.

5. The combination in a multicolor-printing machine, of an impression-cylinder, a reciprocating bed cooperating therewith, a back delivery for the sheets, a color-designplate cylinder arranged, front of the impression-cylinder and adapted to receive a plurality of color-design plates circumiierentially, an inking apparatus for each color-design plate cooperating with the color-designplate cylinder, and a rotary transfer-cylinder arranged to take ink from the color-design plates, and apply the same to the printingform carried by the bed.

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6. The combination in a multieolor-printing maehine, of an impression-cylinder, a reciprocating bed cooperating therewith, a color-design-plate cylinder adapted to reoeive a plurality of Color-design plates cireumferentially, a plurality of inking apparatuses coperating with the Color-design-plate cylinder, a transfer-cylinder mounted in pivoted arms, and geared to the oolor-designplate Cylinder, and means for moving the transfer-Cylinder so that the same will take ink from the color-design plates and apply the same to the form carried by the bed.

7. The combination in a multicolor-printing machine, of an impression-cylinder, a reeiproeating bed cooperating therewith, a

color-design-plate cylinder oapaoitated to receive a plurality of color-design plates eircumferentially, an inking apparatus for each color-design plate, a rotary transfer-cylinder, and means for moving the transfer-eylinder so that it will alternately and separately contact with the oolor-design-plate cylinder and the printing-form carried by the bed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LOUIS W. SOUTHGATE.

Witnesses:

PHILIP W. SOUTHGATE, M. E. REGAN@ 

